Is Lattafa Qaa'ed Al Shabaab a dupe of Guerlain Les Absolus d'Orient Oud Essentiel?
Les Absolus d'Orient Oud Essentiel EDP
| EDP | Concentration | EDP |
| U | Gender | M |
| 2017 | Year | 2021 |
| $$$$ | Price Tier | $ |
Qaa'ed Al Shabaab EDP
Qaa'ed Al Shabaab and Oud Essentiel both feature leather and oud, but cater to different preferences. Al Shabaab is a raw, intensely leathery fragrance that leans into an industrial, almost challenging profile. Oud Essentiel offers a smoother, more refined take on the leather-oud combination. It's more balanced and accessible, with saffron and rose softening the edges. Al Shabaab is a daring, budget-friendly choice for hardcore leather lovers, while Oud Essentiel provides a luxurious, polished experience for those seeking a Westernized oud.
Where they differ
Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.
ScentArt
How it unfolds
Notes
- Les Absolus d'Orient Oud Essentiel
- Qaa'ed Al Shabaab
- in both
Tap a note to light it in both. A+B means both have it
Which Should You Buy?
- You want a bold, unapologetic leather experience.
- You love challenging, industrial-style scents.
- You're on a budget but want niche quality.
- You want maximum performance and longevity.
- You prefer a refined, balanced oud scent.
- You like leather softened by rose and saffron.
- You want a luxurious, designer fragrance.
- You want a smoother, more accessible oud.
Thierry Wasser's saffron, resin and leather oud for Les Absolus d'Orient: dry agarwood, smoky olibanum and a leather and rose backbone. Western-tailored Arabian oud, huge and long-lasting, for winter evenings.
This is a bold, uncompromising leather bomb of a fragrance, not for the faint-hearted. It’s a polarizing scent that people either adore for its raw, authentic leather and outstanding performance, or recoil from its intense, industrial edge. If you’re into serious leather, this Lattafa offers niche quality at a bargain price.
Scent Profile
How They Wear
Mood
Notes
Heart Notes
Leather
15%
vs
41%
Cedar
12%
vs
17%
Saffron
16% share of the perfume
Geranium
5% share of the perfume
Cedar
12%
vs
17%
Oud
21% share of the perfume
Rose
13% share of the perfume
Leather
41% share of the perfume
Leather
15% share of the perfume
Frankincense
13% share of the perfume
Guaiac Wood
4% share of the perfume
Note weights are our estimate from each note's place in the pyramid, not the share of the formula. Brands do not publish formulations.
Performance
Season and Occasion Fit
Seasons
A resinous oud, leather and incense composition is firmly cold-weather: winter first, autumn close behind. The smoky depth feels oppressive in heat.
Occasions
Leather, incense and oud make this an evening scent. Formal occasions and romantic evenings suit it, where strong projection is welcome, and the office is risky beyond a single light spray.
Seasons
A cold-weather scent - best worn in winter and autumn.
Occasions
Its nuclear performance and intensely strong, animalic leather accord make it too overwhelming for polite office settings. It's best suited for casual evening wear or specific 'bad boy' occasions rather than formal events, though a subtle hand on a cold-weather date might work.
Similarity Breakdown
Our estimate of how alike these two fragrances smell, calculated from their published notes. It is a position on our scale, not a measured percentage of shared smell.
Shares 2 of its 8 notes, including Leather, Cedar
Adds frankincense and geranium, drops osmanthus and ylang-ylang
Where to buy
Pick a size. The two cheapest offers, then the rest.
Les Absolus d'Orient Oud Essentiel EDP
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